HANCOCK COUNTY — Posted conspicuously in doctors’ offices and around Hancock Regional Hospital are signs alerting patients to stay away if they have flu symptoms.
Starting Wednesday, Hancock Regional Hospital enacted Tier 1 restrictions on visitors to the hospital to assist in limiting the spread of influenza. This is the least-restrictive tier, according to a memo circulated among Hancock Health employees. This is the second year in a row the hospital has placed limitations on visitors in January; before that, visitors hadn’t been restricted since March 2016.
The restrictions come after increased flu activity in central Indiana and Marion County’s first influenza-related death of the season, according to the Indiana Hospital Association.
Tier one restrictions at Hancock Regional are: signage stating visitor restrictions at all entrances; masks, hand sanitizer and tissues available at all entrances and key areas; all families, guests, volunteers, vendors and staff must be vigilant about handwashing and covering coughs; restricting hospital visitors to patients in isolation to their immediate family, partner, significant other or other as identified by the patient; recommending those younger than 18 not to visit; and restricting those with symptoms of influenza, including fever, cough, muscle aches or chills.
Hancock Health has recently taken up other efforts to limit the spread of influenza. In October, the hospital hosted its inaugural low-cost drive-thru flu clinic, in which nurses and nurse practitioners administered more than 80 flu vaccinations to patients while they remained in their cars.
The event came on the heels of an announcement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Last year’s flu season was the deadliest in at least four decades.
An estimated 80,000 Americans died of flu and its complications last winter, the CDC’s director, Dr. Robert Redfield, told The Associated Press. In Indiana, more than 300 people died during the 2017 flu season, according to state records.
Many, if not all Indianapolis-area hospitals are taking up similar precautions, according to the IHA. These include hospitals within the networks of IU Health, St. Vincent Health, Franciscan St. Francis Health and Community Health Network, as well as the Roudebush V.A. Medical Center and Riley Hospital for Children.
Officials said it’s not too late to get a flu shot to prevent getting the flu this season. Hancock County Health Department offers flu vaccinations to anyone age 6 months or older from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays and by appointment Tuesday through Friday, said Margie Hoskins, public health nurse.
“We very much still encourage them to get their vaccine if they haven’t gotten it yet,” she said.
The health department is located in the Hancock County Courthouse Annex at 111 American Legion Place, Room 150. For more information or to make an appointment, call (317) 477-1125.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”About influenza” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Area hospitals are restricting visitors, especially those who have symptoms of influenza. Symptoms include:
Cough
Sore throat
Fever
Body aches
Coughing and sneezing
What to do if you get sick:
Most people who get the flu don’t need medical care. They should stay home and avoid contact with other people.
People with flu symptoms who are at high risk of complications should contact their health care provider.
Source: CDC.gov
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Vaccinations available” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Flu vaccinations are available at the Hancock County Health Department from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays and by appointment Tuesday through Friday.
The health department is located in the Hancock County Courthouse Annex at 111 American Legion Place, Room 150. More information is available by calling (317) 477-1125.
[sc:pullout-text-end]
